Project Zomboid Mechanics Guide

In this guide i will do my best to give you all needed information about the Mechanics Skill of Project Zomboid


This guide is based on the vanilla version of the game, with no mods installed.
Guide updated as of build 41 Version 41.33 – IWBUMS.

If something is missing, incorrect or you would like me to add anything to the guide, feel free to leave a comment.

Even if you find a car that is totally wrecked, you can still get it to a high overall condition and drive safely, until you eventually die. :)

Level Requirements

Standard Type Vehicles

Mechanics Level 0

• Radio
  
• Battery
  
• Headlights and Taillights

Mechanics Level 1

• Seats
  
• Tires

Mechanics Level 2

No new available parts at this level.

Mechanics Level 3

• Brakes
  
• Suspension
  
• Hood
  
• Trunk Lid
  
• Front and Rear Door Windows

Mechanics Level 4

• You can start taking out parts of the Engine and Repairing it on Standard Vehicles
  
• Front and Rear Doors

Mechanics Level 5

• Muffler
  
• Front and Rear Windshield

Note: Leveling mechanics beyond this point does not unlock any new parts for Standard Vehicles.

Heavy-Duty Type Vehicles

Mechanics Level 0

• Radio
  
• Battery
  
• Headlights and Taillights

Mechanics Level 1

• Tires

Mechanics Level 2

• Seats

Mechanics Level 3

• Hood
  
• Trunk Lid
  
• Front and Middle Door Windows

Mechanics Level 4

• Front, Middle and Rear Doors

Mechanics Level 5

• You can start taking out parts of the Engine and Repairing it on Heavy-Duty Vehicles
  
• Gas Tank
  
• Muffler
  
• Front and Rear Windshield

Mechanics Level 6

• Brakes
  
• Suspension

Note: Leveling mechanics beyond this point does not unlock any new parts for Heavy-Duty Vehicles.

Sport Type Vehicles

Mechanics Level 0

• Radio
  
• Battery
  
• Headlights and Taillights

Mechanics Level 1

• Tires
  
• Seats(But only for the Dash Elite)

Mechanics Level 2

• Seats

Mechanics Level 3

• Hood
  
• Trunk Lid
  
• Front and Rear Door Windows

Mechanics Level 4

• Front and Rear Doors

Mechanics Level 5

• Gas Tank
  
• Muffler
  
• Front and Rear Windshield

Mechanics Level 6

• You can start taking out parts of the Engine and Repairing it on Sport Vehicles

Mechanics Level 7

• Brakes
  
• Suspension

Note: Leveling Mechanics beyond this point does not unlock any new parts for Sport Vehicles.

There is a chance of damaging parts upon disassembly. I couldn't find any information if gaining higher levels gives higher chances of not damaging parts, would be grateful if anyone knows.

Taking off and putting back on tires and brakes with a high mechanics skill gives a boost to tire friction and brake force(Thanks to Pe6yc for this information). I tested this with level 10 Mechanics and it changed tire friction on a 90% condition tire from 1.1 to 2.1, and reinstalled all 4 brakes also with high condition, and it changed from 71 total braking force to 82. So it seems you gain 10% better tire friction and a small boost to braking force with each level of Mechanics. Please leave a comment with other benefits of leveling Mechanics so i can add it here.

Repairable Parts

Parts that are repairable:

• Engine is repairable using Spare Engine Parts
  Note: These parts can be taken out of any car, although make sure to find a high Engine Quality stat car (90+) because it takes more time to start the car with a low quality engine. Also, don't mix quality and condition stats, those are different.
  
• Trunk is repairable using 2 Duct Tape, 2 Glue or 1 Small Metal Sheet
  
• Front Doors are repairable using 2 Duct Tape, 2 Glue or 1 Small Metal Sheet
  
• Rear Doors are repairable using 2 Duct Tape, 2 Glue or 1 Small Metal Sheet
  
• Gas Tanks are repairable using 2 Duct Tape, 2 Glue or 1 Small Metal Sheet
  
• Seats are repairable using 2 Duct Tape or 2 Glue
  Note: Seats in my opinion are completely not worth repairing because they consume too many materials. You're better of replacing them entirely.

For the moment these are (sadly) all the repairable parts in a car.

Replacable Parts

Parts that are replacable only:

• Radios
  
• Tires
  
• Brakes
  
• Suspension
  
• Muffler
  
• All sorts of windows
  
• Light Bulbs
  
• Car Batteries are both replacable and rechargeable
  Note: The condition of a car battery is separate to the remaining power, although they can be easily mixed up. A car battery's condition determines its capacity and effectiveness at starting a vehicle engine.

Note

I will do my best to update this guide with any new information, please leave a comment if you know about something that is not in the above, so all of us can learn something new. :)

[Phunkyzilla (Bada Bing)]

@Big_Baby to Charge the Car battery leave the car running your battery charges while the engine is running

[Big_Baby]

how to charge a car battery?

[Unavailable]

Higher level does reduce the chance of breaking something

[Rhazim]

That statement was actually taken straight from the wiki, although you might be right, because i have no idea if the wiki is even being updated with any new changes to the game. https://pzwiki.net/wiki/Car_Battery

[Alex]

And you cannot just "to duct tape" gas tank or bodywork anymore :)

[Alex]

"A car battery's condition determines its capacity and effectiveness at starting a vehicle engine."
That is either obsolete in 41 or just wrong.
Tested 5% and 100%, not a single difference in drain, recharge, or starting. Not found any mention in the game code either.

[rjames0820]

you need a screwdriver, 1 electrical, and 2 mechanics to hotwire, yes, but if you got the buglar occupation you can hotwire without any other requirements

[Professor Goutenbourg]

Hotwiring also requires a screwdriver I'm pretty sure.

[Rhazim]

You need to have 1 level in electrical and 2 level in mechanics. Then the option to hotwire any car becomes available.

[M4NU]

How I can start one vehicle if I don't have the keys